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GRUBBERS BUILDING FOR FLAG TILT, PAGE 27
BELLARINE’S NUMBER ONE NEWSPAPER
4 - 17 SEPTEMBER, 2026
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Running for mental health
(Ivan Kemp) 575124_07
Running 120km in 12 hours probably isn’t everyone’s idea of fun, but for Torquay’s Lachlan Wright and Dan Donaldson, there’s a more serious side to it. Both accomplished ultra runners, they will set out at 4am on Sunday to run from Torquay, around the Bellarine Peninsula and back for a great cause. Lachlan and Dan are running for mental health awareness and for The Shaka Project, a Torquay charity that delivers free mental health and suicide prevention workshops to schools, sporting clubs, workplaces and community groups. While the pair hope to complete the journey in 12 hours, they are prepared for some bumps and grinds along the way. According to the Bureau of Statistics, 3326 Australians died by suicide in 2024 and men made up the overwhelming number of those with 76.5 percent. Lachlan and Dan want your support.
Find out how in our Friday feature on page 8.
Cancer hits hard By Jena Carr New research is highlighting the hidden financial toll on blood cancer patients and is something that a Barwon Heads woman has experienced first-hand. The Leukaemia Foundation revealed new research this week, revealing that one in eight Australians living with blood cancer was missing, delaying or cancelling treatment due to financial pressures. Taryn Elder, 40, was independent, active and working at her dream job in Queensland when she started to feel really
exhausted and short of breath. After fiercely advocating for a blood test, Ms Elder received a diagnosis in February this year of acute myeloid leukaemia, which is an aggressive form of blood cancer. “My whole world essentially changed within a few hours after receiving my diagnosis,” she said. “I came back to Victoria to be with my family and resigned from my job as I had to undergo acute chemotherapy treatment for six months. “I’m a 40-year-old person who was at the peak of my career trying to get ahead
financially, and now I’ve had to go back under my family’s roof. “I am now involved in a world-first trial of oral chemo with a vaccine and, although I feel incredibly lucky, there are still so many unknowns on how my body will react.” Ms Elder, who is now cautiously in remission, said there were many costs associated with undergoing cancer treatment, including doctor appointments and medication. “I couldn’t imagine being in a position where I was the sole breadwinner with children, because it is a huge financial
burden,” she said. “It’s really hard because I want to get back to normal life, as well as being independent and working, but blood cancers are so complex.” The Leukaemia Foundation launched its new Cut the Cost of Cancer campaign this week, calling on the government to help reduce treatment costs while also marking the start of Blood Cancer Month. Visit cutcancercost.org.au for more information and to sign a petition to provide better financial support for people impacted by cancer.
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